In response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, a line-up of NYC-based standups, clowns, and comedy favorites will come together for The Kraine for Ukraine Variety Comedy Benefit. Produced by Peter Michael Marino (Planet of the Grapes; Show Up, Kids!; Pip’s Island) and hosted by Carole Montgomery (creator of Showtime’s Funny Women of a Certain Age), the one-night-only fundraising event, to support those affected by the crisis in Ukraine, will happen live, in-person and online, on Tuesday, March 15, beginning at 7:30 pm, at The Kraine Theater. The venue is located in the East Village by the neighborhood known as “Little Ukraine” for its large population of Eastern European immigrants, mostly Ukrainians, since the 1870s.
Performers for the 90-minute laugh fest will include Paul Valenti (finalist on NBC’s Bring the Funny), Linette Palladino (HBO), Mariko Iwasa (Ringling Brothers Circus), Calvin Cato (Vice Media & Netflix), AJ Silver (A Cowboy From The Bronx), Jim Mendrinos (Amazon Prime), and Tyler West (Bindlestiff Family Circus; Slipper Room), and more. The evening will also include a special video message from Alex Borovenskiy and the company of ProEnglish Theatre – an artistic shelter, performance venue, and theater school based in Ukraine.
As noted by Borovenskiy, “This is the time for artists to document what is happening, so it never happens again. Yes, even though we are sheltering at the theatre. And yes, we are at war. But our message can still be hopeful and funny.”
Proceeds from the show will go to the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA). Since 1940, UCCA has enabled the Ukrainian-American community to generate the political capital and momentum needed to aid the people of Ukraine. UCCA strives to increase the importance and role of the Ukrainian-American community in the civic and cultural life of the country.
The Kraine for Ukraine Variety Comedy Benefit plays on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 pm, at The Kraine Theater, 85 East 4th Street, NYC. For tickets ($25 suggested, on a sliding scale, for both in-person and streaming), go online. Everyone attending the live show must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the building and must wear a mask when inside. Audience members and performers are also required to fill out a contact tracing form upon arrival.
The show, which raised nearly $3500 to date, is now available for streaming on demand. The price you pay for your ticket is your charitable donation. https://www.frigid.nyc/event/6897:105/6897:674/